North East workers offered e-bikes to help them get to work during pandemic - here's how to take advantage of the scheme

Workers in the North East are being offered e-bikes as a safer and healthier alternative to public transport during the pandemic.
The scheme aims to give people a greener way of getting around, while staying safe during the coronavirus crisisThe scheme aims to give people a greener way of getting around, while staying safe during the coronavirus crisis
The scheme aims to give people a greener way of getting around, while staying safe during the coronavirus crisis

Electric bike company Ride Electric, and North East charity Rise, have announced this week that the e-bikes for the community scheme will offer anyone in employment living in the area the opportunity to use one of Ride Electric’s e-bikes for six months.

It comes as the Government is advising that if people can’t work from home, they should look to walk or cycle. If public transport has to be used, travellers are advised to plan ahead and avoid busy times if possible.

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The scheme has had a trial launch in Wallsend and the two organisations and Rise are now calling on people living in Northumberland, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside to get involved in the programme and swap public transport for an electric bike.

Ride Electric’s business development manager, Sue Anderson, said: “Avoiding the morning rush, for example, will help people socially distance from each other. We can all play our part in following advice and help to reduce the pressure on public transport.”

Rebecca Bennett, active workplace manager at Rise, added: “Although there is a cost to trying the bikes for six months, it will be heavily subsidised by Rise and we hope that people will soon see the benefits of using bikes for their daily commute.”

Rise is a charitable organisation that works with the health sector, local government, education providers and businesses to develop more active communities across Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. It was formed by a merger of Tyne & Wear Sport and Northumberland Sport over the summer.

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It approached Ride Electric after becoming aware of the company’s successful e-bike leasing schemes which it offers to a variety of employers and business parks. Soon after the announcement of a UK-wide lockdown in March, the company began loaning out its e-bikes to key workers for six months.

Anyone interested in the e-bikes for the community programme can contact Rise on 07908 772217 or [email protected]